A non-aqueous procedure to synthesize amino group bearing nanostructured organic-inorganic hybrid materials.

Amino-functionalized organic-inorganic hybrid materials with a narrow distributed nanostructure of 2-4 nm in size were obtained by means of a template-free and non-aqueous procedure. Simultaneous twin polymerization of novel amino group containing twin monomers with 2,2'-spirobi[4H-1,3,2-benzodioxasiline] has been applied for this purpose. The amino groups of the organic-inorganic hybrid material are useful for post derivatization.

The acute hot joint in medical practice.

We have studied patients with acute hot joints presenting to general practice, casualty and inpatient rheumatology services. Their investigation, management and outcome were measured against guidelines. Different spectra of disease were seen in the different health care settings. The guidelines were not adhered to for crystal arthritis, particularly when it affected the first metatarso-phalangeal joints. The guidelines were broadly adhered to and useful for other joints, especially where septic arthritis was considered to be the likely diagnosis. We found no benefit on outcome from adhering to the guidelines. There was a tendency for the outcome to be worse where the guidelines were followed in full, suggesting that more investigations are performed in the more difficult cases. We conclude that drawing up guidelines for patient management is difficult even in an area where there is broad medical agreement.

The influence of lobule IX of the cerebellar posterior vermis on the baroreceptor reflex in the decerebrate rabbit.

Stimulation of lobule IX (the uvula) of the cerebellar posterior vermis, either electrically or chemically, has been shown to evoke marked cardiovascular effects in both rabbit and cat. Recent experiments suggest that this stimulation can also reduce the responsiveness of neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarii to baroreceptor inputs. The aim of the present study was thus to determine whether the uvula exerts an influence on the baroreceptor reflex. In order to evoke a reflex bradycardia in decerebrate rabbits, blood pressure was increased by inflating a Swan-Ganz catheter positioned in the descending aorta, and in some rabbits the aortic nerve was also stimulated electrically. In most rabbits, following uvula removal, significantly larger reflex falls in heart rate were observed. In a second group of rabbits, a lesion of cerebellar lobules VI-VIII had no effect on reflex bradycardia. It is concluded that the uvula tonically depresses the cardioinhibitory component of the baroreceptor reflex in the rabbit. The possible functional implications of these results are discussed.